Liverpool FC’s very own Si Senor Roberto Firmino has become truly a hero among the Reds supporters since arriving at Anfield in 2015 from Hoffenheim Although the Brazilian international did take time to adjust to the Premier League in his initial months at the club, Firmino immediately clicked for the Reds following the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as the Liverpool FC boss.
The flamboyant attacker has been an important part of Klopp’s first-team squad for the past five years at the Merseyside club. Firminowas a key part of the Liverpool FC side that won the UEFA Champions League last season, followed with further success in the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, the 2019-20 season has seen a great number of people, including the Reds’ supporters, pose a question over Firmino’s role in Jurgen Klopp’s side. The 28-year old striker has scored just eight goals this season for the Reds in the Premier League, with the Brazilian unable to find the back of the next even once at Anfield.
A tally of eight goals this season for Firmino has been surpassed by several others in the Premier League. Chelsea FC’s Tammy Abraham has 14 goals to his name, whereas Firmino’s own teammates Mohammad Salah and Sadio Mane are high up the goalscoring charts with 19 and 16 respectively.
Klopp has always publicly defended Firmino in the face of criticism directed towards the Liverpool FC player. The Reds boss has argued that with his side’s style of gegenpressing play, Firmino’s role is not that of a traditional striker operating upfront, but instead the Brazilian attacker functions as a false nine. The 28-year old’s duties are not limited to just scoring or assisting his teammates, but is equally responsible for tracking pack regularly and putting in the occasional tackles, a job which has been done tremendously by Firminofor the past four years.
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Even with the Reds’ strike being on goal drought of late, the player has to be praised for his overall contribution towards the style of play adopted by Liverpool FC. Firmino creates tons of chances for his fellow attackers Mohammad Salah and Sadio Mane on the pitch through his usual trickery on the ball and his astute vision.
Last month when reports had suggested that Timo Werner was closing in on a move to Anfield, Liverpool FC supporters were delighted at the news. Werner’s expected arrival meant that the German international would operate as a number nine alongside Mane and Salah on either flank.
However, what Werner’s arrival meant for Firmino was that the 28-year old could now function as an advanced playmaker for the Reds. A more attacking midfield role would have certainly suited Firmino’s style of play, which is characterized by his brilliant first-touch and the ability to carve open defenses with his passing.
But Werner’s transfer could not materialize and the former Leipzig star ended up sealing a move to Chelsea FC. On the other hand, Klopp ruled out any high-profile signings for the Reds this summer. Such a series of events meant that the front three of Liverpool FC would remain intact come next season as well.
It is evident that Firmino’s importance to the entire balance of the Reds is much more pivotal than the number of goals scored by the Brazilian international. Described by his Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp as a “nine and a half”, the 28-year old’s role whenever he takes the pitch is far more crucial than perhaps any of his other teammates.
The Brazillian striker is also a player who comes through for his side in the clutch, be it scoring a late equalizer or displaying a moment of solo brilliance to win the game for his side. Firmino had most famously won the Champions League tie for Liverpool FC last season against Paris Saint Germain at Anfield. Having been benched due to an eye injury, the Brazilian had dribbled past PSG’s defense before striking the ball past Alphonse Areola with a low driving effort in the dying moments of the game.
It would very harsh on Firmino to suggest that the player does not contribute towards the attacking attributes of Liverpool FC’s play. The 28-year old’s stats display a wonderful number to contradict the Brazilian forward’s critics, Firmino has 130 goal contributions in 241 appearances for the Reds.
Such stats are exemplary on the part of the Merseyside club’s number nine, and the 28-year old is in all certainty is indispensable to Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool FC squad.
